WESTFIELD POLICE STATION
"So no one else was there?" Sean asked, fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard.
Cho shook her head. "Although,-"
Sean looked up.
"While I was trying to escape with the girl, a guy came and helped me,-"
"A guy?" he echoed, continuing to type. "Did you see his face?"
She shook her head again. "But I think he's a cop since he had handcuffs. No one else was there when you arrived?"
"Nope." He hit the final key with a click. "Alright, I think that's all we need for now,-" Sean said, rising from his seat. "We'll give you a call if anything else comes up."
Cho and Dominic stood as well.
"Thanks for your cooperation," Sean added, offering a hand.
They both nodded and shook it, then exited the station.
"So," Dominic glanced at his watch, "where to next?"
"I'm starving," Cho replied. "Lunch?"
"Good idea. Let's go to our favorite spot."
Cho gave a thumbs-up.
"You wait here. I'll get the car," Dominic said, already jogging toward the parking lot at the end of the block.
Cho sat on the bench outside the station, scrolling through her phone. Her inbox was still empty."Seriously?" she muttered, furrowing her brows. She angrily typed, Once summer is over, I'll kill you all till you're dead!, and hit send.
A shuffle nearby caught her attention. Turning, she saw an officer dragging a scruffy man toward the station.
"If you run again, I'll cut your leg off, you hear me?" the officer growled.
The man grunted, trying to shake the officer off.
"Stay still!"
"Wait—" Cho stood. "That voice,-"
As the officer neared the entrance, Cho caught a glimpse of his eyes—light gray. Her eyes widened.
"It's him!"
She sprinted toward the entrance. But just as she reached it, the scruffy man lunged, slamming into her. His hand clamped around her neck. Cold metal pressed under her chin—a pocket knife.
"Stay back!" he barked at the officer. "Or I'll slit her throat!"
"Stan!" the officer shouted, stepping closer. "Let her go!"
Stanley's grip tightened. Cho choked, her breath catching as the blade hovered at her skin.
"Stan, don't!"
Then, quiet as a shadow, Sean appeared behind him. With one swift move, he wedged his arm between Cho and the knife, yanked Stanley's wrist back, and twisted it behind him. The blade clattered to the ground. The officer lunged, grabbing Cho and pulling her to safety as Sean slammed Stanley to the ground, pinning him in place.
"Lock him!" the officer ordered, then turned to Cho, still holding her protectively. Recognition flashed across his face. "It's you,-"
Breathing hard, Cho offered a faint, breathless smile. "Hi,-"
"You okay? I mean, back then and now?"
"Yeah,-" she nodded. "Yeah I'm fine,-"
"That's a relief."
"Cho!" a voice called.
They both turned. Dominic came rushing over, out of breath. At the sight of him, the officer loosened his grip on her and took a step back.
"What happened?? I leave for five minutes and you're already in trouble??"
"Sorry."
"That will be my fault," the officer said. Dominic turned to him.
"I didn't restrain him properly. I do apologize,-"
"But he did saved me again,-" Cho added.
"Again?"
"He's the one who helped me back then."
Dominic raised his eyebrows.
"Thank you,-" He took both of the officer's hands in his. "Thank you so much for helping her,-"
The officer stiffened slightly.
"As you can see, she's very clueless, reckless and not to mention a bit out of her mind,-" Dominic continued.
"Hey,-" Cho elbowed him.
The officer smiled. "It's my job. And thanks to her, we found the girl in time. I'm Logan Winchester."
** Logan Winchester (26)
- Radiates a confident, enigmatic aura with his high cheekbones, a defined jawline, and a slightly arched brow. His light gray eyes are framed by long lashes combined with jet-black hair styled in a slightly tousled yet deliberate way.
- Calm, a good listener and has a strong personality that conveys a sense of authority and leadership. Always careful with his actions so as not to affect others, but up to any challenge that comes up his way. **
"Dominic Valentine. And this is my niece, Cho."
Logan gave her a polite nod.
"I'd like to thank you properly. How about dinner tonight? If you're free, of course."
Logan glanced at Cho, then nodded. "I'd like that."
"Great. Give me your number—I'll send the location."
Logan took out his phone, and they exchanged numbers.
"We'll see you tonight," Dominic said.
Logan nodded. They both then made their way back outside, got into the car and drove off.
FRANUEZELLA RESTAURANT
"So how long have you been on the force?" Dominic asked.
"Almost 4 years now,-"
"4 years? How old are you?" Dominic asked again.
"26,-" answered Logan.
Cho subtly counted on her fingers beneath the table. "That's 7 years apart!" she whispered under her breath.
A wide smirk carved upon Dominic's face as he noticed it.
"Wait, why am I calculating?"
Soon after, their food arrived.
"Let's dig in,-"
As they began to eat, Dominic glanced back up. "Say, Logan—how did you find Cho before the others?"
"I was in pursuit of someone actually, but kind of lost him and figured maybe he's hiding in the building,-"
"That's some lucky guess does it?" Dominic gave Cho a glare. "Do you realize now how lucky you are?"
Cho pouted. Logan smiled at her subtle reaction. Not long after, Dominic's phone buzzed. He stood abruptly.
"I need to take this."
He stepped outside, leaving Logan and Cho at the table.
"So—" Logan leaned forward. "High school or uni?"
"Uni. I'll be starting my second year after summer."
"Major?"
"Software engineering."
"Software? That's cool,-"
Blushing, Cho sipped her iced Americano. "Did, did you always want to be a cop?" she asked.
"Not really,- But it's close to what I wanted."
"Which was?"
"I planned to join the military but some mishap happened,-"
"Oh,- I'm sorry to hear that,-"
Dominic returned soon after, looking tense. Cho stood quickly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing serious. I just need to be somewhere—but I can't bring you along." He turned to Logan. "Can I ask a favor?"
Logan stood. "Of course."
"Can you drive her home?"
Logan glanced between them before nodding. "Yeah, sure."
"Thank you."
"Uncle Dom, what's going on?"
"I'll explain later, alright?"
Cho stared at him for a moment, then nodded reluctantly.
"I have to go now,-" He kissed her cheek. "I'll see you at home."
And with that, he left.
SOMEWHERE AROUND JESSELTON
"Is he always like that?" Logan asked.
Cho shook her head. "Never."
"It must've been serious then,-" He turned down a quiet street. "Is there anyone else at home?"
"No. Just the two of us."
She took a breath, waiting for the usual question: What about your parents? But it didn't come.
"You're not going to ask about my parents?"
Logan smiled slightly, eyes still on the road. "I figured there's probably a heavy story behind that. I won't ask unless you want me to."
Cho gave him a grateful look. "Maybe not right now."
"Meaning, we'll meet again?" he asked teasingly.
Cho's cheeks turned pink. "No! I mean—yes? I mean—it'd be nice if we did. But—"
Logan smiled, amused by her flustered expression. She glanced at him, then quickly looked away.
"I'm talking nonsense when I'm nervous, feel free to shut me up,-"
"So I make you nervous?" he teased.
Her whole face turned red. "No, that's not what I meant—I just—"
"I'm just messing with you,- But I hope it calms you down,-"
She let out a nervous laugh. "Well it worked. Thanks."
They arrived at her place.
"Thanks for the ride."
"Anytime. You have my number, right?"
"Urm..." Embarrassed, she quickly shook her head, not wanting to admit she saved it the moment they got into the car earlier that evening.
Logan handed her his phone. "Put your number in."
She typed it in. Logan gave it a quick call.
"Hope I'll see you again, Cho."
"Me too."
She stepped out and gave him a small wave before heading to the door. Logan waited until she was inside, then drove off. Made her way up to her room, her mind wandered back to Dominic and concern creeping in again.
"Where could he be?"
She called Dominic. No answer. Tried again.
"Please pick up..."
Still nothing.
"Where are you?"
Reaching her room, Cho collapsed on the bed, phone still in hand. She called once more. And again. Until her eyes drifted shut and she fell asleep.
EPILOGUE
As the young woman in front of him lost consciousness, Logan caught her just before she collapsed onto the dusty cement.
"Miss?" He gave her a gentle shake.
But there was no response. Carefully reaching past the unconscious girl lying on her back—no older than fourteen—Logan propped her up against the wall. Then, with just as much care, he seated the young woman in the same position. Without wasting another second, he called for an ambulance. Once done, he immediately dialed his partner.
"Yes Logan?" answered Sean.
"Hey, where are you?"
"Me and three other officers are on our way to Woshiper's Street,-"
Logan glanced over the signboard across the road. And yes, they were heading to where he was right now.
"We received a report about a suspicious man dragging a 14 years old into an empty building,-" he added.
"Okay, proceed to the said location as soon as you can,-" he urged him.
"Will do,- Did you manage to catch the escapee?" asked Sean.
"No, I lost him,-"
Right after he said that, the man he was chasing appeared next to the signboard across the road.
"Or maybe not,- I saw him,- I gotta go,-"
Hung up, Logan got onto his feet and was ready to run after him. But the young woman suddenly grabbed his hand. Logan stopped and landed his gaze back on her.
"Miss? Are you coming to?"
Her eyes were still closed, yet, her grip on him was rather firm. Her expression was restless while muttering something. He leaned in closer.
"Don't-leave,-" she said weakly.
Logan furrowed.
"Please-don't-leave,-"
A single tear slid silently down her pale, porcelain cheek. And for reason, something inside him shifted. Gently brushing the tear away with his fingertip, Logan sat down next to her without hesitation and stayed there until the ambulance arrived.